Hurricanes Helene and Milton were devastating to our neighbors in North Carolina and throughout the southeastern US. Thanks to our incredible donors, help was on the way before the hurricanes even reached land — and that support continues, as many families are still in need.
Relief for North Carolina and beyond
Thanks to our caring supporters, Lutheran World Relief has served people in need around the world since 1945. We are deeply grateful for every individual and congregation that has stepped up to help — throughout the past 80 years and in this emergency!
Here is a snapshot of your gifts have helped our neighbors so far:
Impact area: Lutheran World Relief Quilts & Kits
As forecasters tracked the paths of the storms, our warehouse team packed and shipped 10 truckloads of LWR Quilts & Kits to key locations in Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana and Mississippi. (Learn more about LWR Quilts and Kits.)
In total, more than 60,000 quilts and 76,000 kits were distributed to families whose homes were damaged or destroyed.
Linda Kinsinger distributing LWR quilts and kits in Asheville, North Carolina.
When the pastor of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Asheville, North Carolina, called LWR quilter Linda Kinsinger to help with a distribution for homeless veterans whose shelter flooded, she didn’t hesitate to show up ... even though she had no power or water at home.
“We spend every Tuesday morning making [quilts], but we never see what happens after they get shipped off,” Linda reflected. “It’s really heartwarming and fulfilling to see the work of the hands of so many women and people across the country being used right here locally in North Carolina, where we've had such a devastating storm.”
Residents of a recovery ministry enjoy their new quilts, made by your loving hands.
Impact area: Cash grants and emergency supplies
To date, your compassion has provided more than $500,000 in grants to local relief organizations that are based in affected communities. These trusted partners bulk purchase relief items such as bottled water and cleaning supplies locally and distribute them to families in need.
They also provide direct cash assistance, because cash allows families to purchase whatever supplies they need most — usually including food, gas, rideshares, clothing, diapers and medicine.
The following supplies and services have been distributed in hurricane-affected areas:
- Florida: Bottled water, LWR Quilts & Kits, hot meals, household items, housing repairs and cash gift cards
- Georgia: Hot meals, household essentials, building supplies and housing repairs
- Louisiana: LWR Quilts & Kits
- Mississippi: LWR Quilts & Kits
- North Carolina: Hot meals, LWR Quilts & Kits, bottled water, cash cards, household necessities, clothing, hygiene items, tarps and clean up kits
- South Carolina: Hot meals, bottled water, cash cards, clothing, hygiene items, tarps and clean up kits
- Tennessee: Hot meals, LWR Quilts & Kits, bottled water, cleanup kits, cash cards, household essentials, building supplies and housing repairs
- Virginia: Hot meals, bottled water, cash cards, clothing, hygiene items, tarps and clean up kits
One recipient of your loving support, who asked to be called CJ, is the mother of an infant and a survivor of domestic violence. She was preparing to move into a new, safe apartment with her baby in Tampa, Florida, when the hurricanes flooded parts of the city.
As CJ waited for a new path to open, she received a comforting quilt, a Baby Care Kit and a Personal Care Kit packed with hygiene supplies. She also received cash support to purchase diapers and other much-needed supplies for her child.
Lutheran partners in Florida ready to distribute LWR Quilts & Kits for neighbors whose homes were damaged or destroyed.
Thank you for loving your neighbors affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton! Every gift and prayer help to keep this ministry going...
